The American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute for International Law and Human Rights (IILHR), establishing a framework for cooperation between the two parties, aiming “to enhance education, training, and skills development in areas of mutual interest, including legislative drafting, environmental legislation, and legal reform.” AUIB’s College of Law had organized, in partnership with the Institute, a workshop as part of the Youth Environmental Legal Leadership (YELL) Program, hosting its events on campus over two consecutive days in October last year.
The Memorandum was signed by AUIB President, Dr. Bradley Cook, and IILHR’s Executive Director, Ms. Robin Gary, at a special ceremony held on AUIB campus, where both parties affirmed their shared commitment to “promoting the rule of law, good governance, and sustainable development in Iraq through the advancement of professional legal education and capacity building.”
President Cook spoke on the occasion of the value of specialized training programs that bridge academic theory with practice, expressing his appreciation of IILHR’s principles and network of legal experts. He voiced his optimism that the joint efforts on part of AUIB and the Institute would yield tangible impact on Iraq’s legal and institutional landscape.
Ms. Gary expressed her pride at signing the Memorandum that formalized a partnership with AUIB “built on shared values and belief in Iraq’s future,” with a purpose to “promote public trust in Iraq’s legal system.” She thanked President Cook for the University’s cooperation with the Institute’s initiatives, and commended the work of her Institute’s partner at AUIB, the Dean of the College of Law, Dr. Khansaa Mohammed Jassim, and her team, who “prepare students for their future careers and for championing justice.”